Automatic lighter and display device



Oct. 26, 1943. H. E. GOLDSTINE AUTOMATIC LIGHTER AND DISPLAY DEVICE Original Filed June 6, "1939 B00) CAPACITY jwuc wto'o HALLA/V E, GOLDST/A/E Patented Oct. 26, 1943 AUTOMATIC LIGHTER AND DISPLAY DEVICE Hallan Eugene Goldstine, Rocky Point, N. Y., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Original application June 6, 1939, Serial No.

277,593, which is a division of application Serial No. 107,374, October 24, 1936. Divided and this application June 25, 1941, Serial No. 399,754

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and novel automatic lighter and display device.

The invention is a division of my copending application Serial No. 277,593, filed June 6, 1939,

which is a divisional application of the parent app ications mentioned abov with e exception application Serial No. 107,374, filed Oct. 24, 1936, of the omission of the electrical contacts and in Patent #2,182,336, and is particularly directed to place thereof are two capacitive electrodes 31 and the art of using electric discharge tubes as a 33. The capac ve e odes 3 d 3 y form relay device and deals especially with applying part of the casing, itself, by being insulated from this principle to a novel lighter. 10 other parts of the housing. It is necessary that The claims in this divisional application are the capacity between plates be small relative to specificaly directed to a circuit for controlling th ou so t a the movable y will make electrical apparatus. as large a percent change in capacity as possible. An object of this invention is to simplify and The h at u nt supp yi t a r 5 is improve automatic lighters such as those emcontrolled y body capa y when a pe o nployed for lighting cigars and cigarettes. proaches to light his cigar or cigarette, the extra Another object of this invention i t provide capacity causing the tube to trip, thus heating an automatic lighter which is capable of continuthe element and iIIuminating the advertising d ous intermittent use and requires a minimum Vice. An electron discharg d e 31 p o s amount of servicing. 0 a high frequency amplifier of a tuned plate and Still another object of this invention is to grid circuit. the Plate 32 and grid 33 being provide a simple improved lighter having no conshielded from a h o er. A screen grid 34 p tact elements which are broken, the heater cirvents feedback through the tube. The thyracuit being controlled by body capacjty tron tube 35 has a grid 36, which is held at a Another feature of thi invention is t negative potential when tube 3| is not oscillating. Tangement ereby at the same time the heating In the grid and plate circuit of tube 3|, there is element is caused t h at-t is also fla h dconnected the capacitive elements or electrodes p ay or advertising sign. 3! and 38 which are suitably arranged so that Still another featur of thi i ti is t t when the body capacity 39 of a person who apthe device as arranged fulfills b th t purposes 0 proaches the lighter intercepts electrodes 31 and of a lighter and an advertising device a is 38, feedback occurs between plate32 and grid 33, ranged to attract the c t r attention and thus causing tube 3i to oscillate. This lowers the arouse his curiosity a t th control member, plate current of tube 3i which in turn lowers the Itself. The electrical cir uit of th device is negative bias on the thyratron" tube enough arranged so that when the heating arrangement 35 so that the positive bias applied to the secmdary heats, the sign will be illu t t t 49 of the transformer will cause the tube to conme off its Characteristieglow which i a t duct. When the extra capacity is removed, tube worthy advertising feature, 31 will cease oscillating and tube 35will then be hough automatic light r are ld in t art, non-conducting. A small blocking condenser 310. such devices generally required the breaking of 40 is employed to insulate the plate Voltage from the the total heater current when the object to be lit exposed p It y be desirable also to Work was heated. As the heater current which was the plate at ground potential for the supply Volt broken was relatively large, a substantially heavy age and work the cathode ata negative voltage, contact pressure was necessary. Also, such de- 50 that the plate 37 has y a V y- 0W Vo ta e Ylces required qu t servicing due to the burnradio frequency impressed on it. lng out of the contacts. There is also the possibility of using an audio It is the purpose of this invention to permit th frequency capacity bridge circuit; the unbalance body capacity of a person approaching the lighter due to body capacity causes a change in the audio to actuate the circuit of the heater element. voltage. this is amplified, fied a d caused to The contacts are arranged in the circuit so that Control the relay tuba other elements of this a display sign flashes on d off h t h p circuit are transformer primary 4|, cathode 42, mg element is on. cathode resistance 43, a grid bias battery 44, This invention will be more completely underplate 45, heating element 5, and lamps 23 which stood by referrin to the accompanying drawing, are connected in series with the plate 45 and the which is a circuit diagram of the automatic 5.5 series resistance 24. The oscillator tube contains lighter wherein the heating circuit is controlled by body capacity.

Referring now to the drawing the display device of this application is generally similar to my other grid leak 46 and grid condenser 48, plate 32 having connected in the tuned circuit condenser 49 an inductance 50. The circuit of grid 32 has also a tuned i c it 'pmmt io nden e 5L lumfilmament 51 of heater 3| is heatedzby any suite,

able means, such as a tap on the transformer secondary.

By a slight change in the circuit; batteries. 44?.

and 56 may be eliminated and the bias potential obtained from the alternating current supply source.

Another circuit arrangementcrnay accomplish. the same efiect by having thebody capacitybf;

the person approaching the lightervary the neutralizing capacity of an amplifier, thus causing.

the tub to .go ,in t and out of oscillation,

Still another method of controlwquldbe to have he ga r i are e mak akalishti ea wh c is e ted: wi hin. he i hten a, ohoto: l ctri e lna o ne eala he. emai o s to cause. the relay, tubert trinandt he e tina eme u d. t us he, heated. nd; he adve ti ingdevice flashed.

n r: dificati oul el bat of a me,- chanicalrelay, arran e l'to be actuated by the l te current o be layiube f sdesir dz h ta larger amount pipowerb requiredthanthe tube cancontrol:

While on a w modifl tions of h S,, 1-. tion are, disclosed, it, isto be distinctly understood that it is not .to be limited; thereto except by, such limitations asare ln posedln the ap pendedclaims.,

What is claimedis:

Inv a e tri a ca acitive, centra rcu t comprisingafirst and a,. second electron discharge device, said, second electron. discharg e device being. of, thegaseous; type, 3 grid and, plate circuits for; both said first, and second electron discharge devices; tuned,circuits;,fpr, the gridand plateof said, first electron discharge device, a first and a sQGQI a a tivev ement, aid first: a a i i element connected, to the tuned grid,circut of a fir t e ectron d s harge, de idnd.

apac t e,- e ment onnec ed he t ned p a e circuit, of said first electron discharge. device, meane ke Said .se p l ctr n ischar e. device t a rma l hi hgat ve, o er ting. no: tentia-l. when said first electron di scharge device s ot atina m nsvh bv eedbackceeurs between the grid and, plate. of: said first ,electron dis h ev nalmc ne bqdv chan e h pac msfi ifir t ndecond a acit ele mentslwhich, lower-s its, plate current: and also l ersthe. negativepotentialof said sec ondeleca ron di cha e. d ae au ina nd e i dis e e e o onduct a idne a ze aid .controlled electrical vcircuit.

2; In an elect icalpapacitive controlheater circuit comprising rst andase ndelactron d har e evic said. emnd..el ctrca i charse i e .of hesa eeua r e. g i andi lat i ll ts r o h, ailifirstv and scend, ectron is: har e de ices uned. ir uits, o he id. nd. plat f. aid... fir t, e c on ischar e d vic a i s nd e ond, apacitive. elemen a d firs capacitive element connectedto the tuned grid circuitof said'first electron discharge'devic e, said second capacitive elementconnected-t0 the tuned plate circuit of' said first electr on dischargedevice, a heater element-connected tothe plate-cir-- :changing the negative potential on the grid of second electron discharge device causing the second electron discharge device to conduct and energize said heater.

3.1m an electrical capacitive control circuit comprising a first and-a second electron discharge devices-aid second electron discharge device be ing of he gaseous type, grid and plate circuits for both said first and second electron discharge devices, tuned circuits for the grid and plate of said first electron discharge device, shielding means within said firstelectron discharge device to prevent feedback therethrough, a first and a second capacitive element, said first capacitive element connected to the tuned; grid circuit of said first electron discharge device, said-second capacitive element connected tothe tuned plate circuit of said first electron discharge device, means for keeping said second electron discharge device at a normally high negative operating potential When said first electron discharge device is not oscillating, means feedback occurs between the grid and plate of said first electron discharge device when a moving body changes thecapacity between said first andsecond capacitive elements which lowers its plate current and-changing the negative potentialon the grid of-s'aid second electron discharge device causing the second electron discharge-device to conduct andenergize said'controlled electrical circuit.

1. A circuit for the control of electrical apparatus comprising a c ontrolied'devicein circuit connection-which will-have its circuit completedby the body capacity upon the-approach of a person, a pair of capacitive elements; a firstand a second electron dischargedevice, each device having at least anode, grid and cathode circuits, one capacitive element 'connected to th grid circuit'of said first electron dischargedevice, the other capacitiveelement connected to the anode circuit of said firstelectron discharge device, said anode circuit beingnormallytuned, said second electrondischarge device beingof-the gaseous type andhavingits grid normally'maintained at a high negativepotential with respectto its cathode by a circuit'connectionwith the tuned anode circuit electron discharge device to a lower value and nection which will haveits circuit. ccmpletedby,

the body capacity upon the approach of a person, a pair of capacitive elements, a first electron discharge device having at least anode, grid, screen grid and cathode circuits, a second electron discharge device being of the gaseous type and having at least anode, grid and cathode circuits, one capacitive element connected to the grid circuit of said first electron discharge device, the other capacitive element connected to the: anode circuit of said first electron discharge device,- said anode circuit being normally tuned and feedback prevented by means of said screen grid circuit, said second electron discharge device have ing its grid normally maintained at a high nega' tive potential with respect to the cathode by a, circuit connection with the tuned anode circuit or said first electron discharge device, said cont trolled device connected in series with the anode circuit of said second electron discharge device and a source of voltage supply, the grid circuit of said second electron discharg device being con-- nected in series with a voltage source and said anode circuit of the first electron discharge device so that a change in the capacitive element causes said first electron discharge device to oscillate by feedback in the anode circuit of the first electron L discharge device and lowers the current fiow therein, which changes the negative bias on the grid of said second electron discharge device to a lower value and causes it to conduct and completes the anode circuit of said electron discharge device, including said controlled device.

6. A circuit for the control of electrical apparatus comprising a controlled device in circuit connection which will have its circuit completed by the body capacity upon the approach of a moving .i

object, a pair of capacitive elements, a first and a second electron discharge device, said second electron discharge device being of the gaseous type, each device having at least anode, grid and cathode circuits, on capacitive element connected to the grid circuit of said first electron discharge device, the other capacitive element connected to the anode circuit of said first electron discharge device, shielding means within said first electron discharge device to prevent feedback therethrough, said anode circuit being normally tuned, said second electron discharge device having its grid normally maintained at a high negative potential with respect to its cathode by a circuit con nection with the tuned anode circuit of said first electron discharge device. said controlled device connected in series with the anode circuit of said second electron discharge device and a source of voltage supply, the grid circuit of said second electron discharge device being connected in series with a voltage source and said anode circuit of the first electron discharge device so that the change in the capacitive element detunes the anode circuit of the first electron discharge device and lowers the current flow therein, which changes the negative bias on the grid of said second electron discharge device to a lower value and causes it to conduct and complete the anode circuit of said second electron discharge device, including said controlled device.

7. A circuit for the control of electrical apparatus comprising a controlled device in circuit connection which will have its circuit completed by the body capacity upon the approach of a moving body, a pair of capacitive elements, a first electron discharge device having at least anode, grid, and screen grid and cathode circuits, a second electron discharge device being of the gaseous type and having at leastanode, grid and cathode circuits, one capacitive element connected 'to the grid circuit of said first electron discharge device, the other capacitive element connected to th anode circuit of said first electron discharge (device, shielding means within said first electron (discharge device to prevent feedback there- :through, said anode circuit being normally tuned :and feedback prevented by means of said screen ,grid circuit, said second electron discharge device having its grid normally maintained at a high :negative potential with respect to its cathode by :a circuit connection with the tuned anode circuit of said first electron discharge device, said controlled device connected in series with the anode circuit of said second electron discharg device and a source of voltage supply, the grid circuit of said second electron discharge device being connected in series with a voltage source and said anode circuit of the first electron discharge device so that a change in the capacitive element causes ,said first electron discharge device to oscillate by feedback in the anode circuit of the first electron discharge device and lowers the current fiow therein, which changes the negative bias on the grid of said second electron discharge device to a Ilower value and causes it to conduct and complete the anode circuit of said second electron discharge device, including said controlled device.

8. In combination, a vacuum tub generator of relatively high frequency oscillations, a gaseous discharge tube having an anode, cathode and :grid, means for coupling a grid circuit of said gaseous discharge tube to the cathode return i it of said oscillation generator so that when said generator is not oscillating, said grid of said gaseous tube is subjected to a high negative potential, and when said oscillation generator is generating high frequency oscillations the grid of said said gaseous tube is subjected to such a potential as to permit current flow therethrough, means for controlling the production of oscillations by said high frequency generator, a source of relatively low frequency alternating current and means for energizing the cathode and the anode- ;to-cathode circuit of said gaseous discharge tube from said source of alternating current.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized by the fact that the means for controlling the generation of high frequency oscillations comprises capacitive elements.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized by the fact that the means for controlling the generation of high frequency oscillations includes a screen grid for preventing the generation of oscillations, and a plurality of capacity elements connected to the control grid and plate of said vacuum tube oscillator, the capacity between which may be so adjusted as to cause the production of oscillations.

11. In combination, a vacuum tube oscillation generator, said generator including a vacuum tube having a plate, cathode, control grid and screen grid, high frequency circuits connected between said plat and cathode and said control grid and cathode, capacitive elements whereby feedback may be established so as to cause the generation of oscillations, a cathode return resistor connected between said plate and cathode, a gaseous discharge tube having an anode, cathode and a grid, a source of relatively low frequency alternating current for energizing the cathode of said gaseous tube and for supplying I a variable voltage across said cathode and anode of said gaseous tube, a load circuit connected between the plate and cathode of said gaseous tube, and a direct current connection between 12? Apparatus as ciairiled .in :claim 11; characriterized by the factthatsaid load circuit comprises an incandescent lamp; and further characterized; by the fact that said -high frequencyoscillation? generator is set into oscillation generation by vita; tueof body'capacity.

13. Apparatus as claimed in 'claimll char-wow terized by the fact that a condenser-is provided :2 to prevent 'the application of highplatepotenu 10 tiai of-said highfrequency oscillatorv to the bodyi,

employedito 'causethe generation of high wfrequeney oscillations.

HALLAN EUGENE GOLDSTINE. :1 

